Category Archives: Modena

I started with more than 60 and have narrowed it down as much as possible. In no particular order here are my top dishes of 2016, whatever ‘top’ means on any such lists. Largely these dishes are not representative of my favorite meals of 2016 and many are from what I would consider casual restaurants. They may not all be the best dishes technically but are the dishes that I could eat every day and often have cravings for. In the interest of fairness of I have disqualified the Au Cheval burger, the Humm Dog, Black Truffle Explosion, and Oysters & Pearls as well as all bread courses.

I admittedly had been waiting to finish this post thinking that maybe Osteria Francescana would move up to #1 on the San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2016. A huge congratulations! And this was clearly the best reservation I made in 2016. I thought Osteria Francescana would be on my bucket list forever but the stars aligned during a week in Florence and a very trusting friend didn’t ask questions and just went along with my dining plans. Perhaps it was the long drive, or having to park outside of the city walls and walk to the restaurant, but I think I arrived more excited with anticipation than I have been in a long time. The night before we debated the two menu options online but were thrilled to find a third option which combined the best of both. The beverage pairings included my favorite cocktail of the year thus far and I’m still trying to track down all of the ingredients. It was also by far the most memorable pairing I’ve ever had. I loved so many of these dishes especially because of the quirky names and the stories behind them and because Massimo Bottura’s personality just seals the whole meal. That and those foie truffle macaroons.

Misery and Nobility
Lentils are better than caviar
Mackerel, suckling pig and saffron
Gnocchi as tzatziki salad
Mediterranean en papillons
Autumn in New York
Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in different textures and temperatures
The crunchy part of the lasagna
This little piggy went to the marker
Croccantino of foie gras
Caesar salad in bloom
Oops! I dropped the lemon tart